Dampening device for paper-twine machines.



T. SCHERF.

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR PAPER TWINE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26. 1-913.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET X.

fil tigliff,

nu; Noflms rum-5 comma, nma.wAsMmnruN. a c

T. SCHERF. DAMPENING DEVICE FOR PAPER TWINE MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26' l9l3. 1,206,924. Patented Dec. 5,1916.

w LL J 4 ,5 2 7 W E U H15 a llllllllllllllll 1.. m T m y .L. 6 N j H I E H J a 6 F a y H a 6 ,.,.,....!i 161:: j

m fl E M h /M fl 6 f P U ,8 0 5 v i J; MT. 2 0% 3. Ma y /a fi\fl 4a a E my 1 Wm mt NORRI! puns 00.,Pno1mun4m.wAsMNunm. u c

spinning ED STATES ATENT FFXC.

THEODORE SGHERF, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND-AKRON BAG COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

DAMPENING DEVICE FOR PAPER-TWINE MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 5, 1916.

Application filed July 26, 1913. Serial No. 781,408.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE Sonnar, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Dampening Devices for Paper-Twine Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of machines for the manufacture of paper twine wherein the paper is introduced into the machine in the form of a narrow strip or ribbon, is moistened, and then twisted or spun into a cord or twine. The moistening operation softens and toughens the paper and prepares it properly for the process, for if the paper strip (which is brittle and easily torn in its dry condition) were twisted without first being dampened, it would break. It should be understood, however, that just the right amount of moisture must be delivered to the strip, because an excessive quantity will dissolvethe sizing of the paper and cause the fiber thereof to separate and the strip to sever. In machines of this character with which I am familiar, this excessive dampening of the paper does occur because the strip is actually submerged in the liquid; and especially does this excessive dampening happen when the operation of the machine is suspended, during which time the strip remains stationary and a portion of it subjected to the action of the moistening device. A further diiliculty experienced in the use of the machines whereof I speak is the breaking of the strip, due to the tension necessarily placed upon it between the supply roll and the spinning mechanism, in order to twist or spin the strip tightly enough to secure the requisite strength of the finished cord or twine.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine of the aforesaid class which eliminates these ditliculti'es by feeding or carrying the strip of paper continually from the sup- -ply roll through the' moistening device (where it is dampened 'evenlyand to the proper degree) and into and through an auxiliary spinning mechan sm where it is given an initial twist and thereby strength ened; and to feed the strip through these various steps of the process at a uniform speed.

The moistening device comprises a pair of conveyer strips of absorbent material to which moisture is supplied through suitable wicks from a tank wherein a predetermined level of liquid is constantly maintained. The strip of paper is fed throughout a considerable extent of its course by and between these moistened conveyor strips and is thereby evenly dampened and, furthermore, relieved of all strain. To avoid undue moistening of the conveyor strips and of the strip of paper when the operation of the machine is suspended, I employ mechanism for lifting the conveyor strips out of contact with the wicks which mechanism operates to simultaneously disengage the clutch through which the machine is driven. The auxiliary spinning mechanism which has already been referred to is also an essential part of my invention since it enters into the principle of relieving the strip of all strain or tension while it is passing through the machine; and means for feeding the strip from the supply roll further contributes to the same broad idea.

Generally speaking my invention may be defined as consisting of the combinations of elements set forth in the annexed claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings forn'iing a part hereof, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof: Fig. 3 a central, vertical sectional view of the machine; Fig. 4- a transverse section on line l4: of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 a section on line 55 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6 a sectional detail of the supply roll with its feeding mechan sm, and corresponding to the line G6 of Fig. 3; and Figs. 7 and 8 are details of the auxiliary spinning mechanism, the latter figure being a section on the line S8 of Fig. 7.

Each of the side frames of the mach ne comprises two vertical members 1 and 2, which are connected at their lower ends by cross members 3 and at their upper ends bv similar members -il-. The members 52 of the frames extend some distance hie-her than the members 1 and carry, at their upper ends, a pair of rollers 5 and 6. A slight distance below where the cross members a join the such supply is sufiicient to replace the water as rapidly as it is consumed by the moistening of the paper strip. The pan 9 is provided with a cover 12 which has its edges rabbeted for the purpose of accurately locating it upon the pan and holding it in such position against displacement. An equal distance on each side of its longitudinal center, the top has a transverse, semi-cylindrical depression 13 for the accommodation of a roller 14, the gudgeons of which bear in suitable notches 15 formed in the ends of the depression and opening upwardly. Between each end of the pan and the adjacent depression 13, the cover is provided with a hole through which is vertically guided a wick tube 16 which is supported from the cover 12 by screws 17 having their upper ends swiveled in said top adjacent the aforesaid holes and which have their lower ends threaded through lugs 18 which extend laterally from the lower edge of the wick-tubes 16. The upper end of the screws 17 are squared for the application of a wrench for turning the screws whereby the wick tubes 16 may be raised and lowered. Wicks 19 which are carried by the tubes 16 have their upper ends in substantially the plane of the tops of the rollers 14, while their lower ends depend to within a short distance of the bottom of the pan 9. Located between the rollers 14 is a wick 20 which is supported by a wick tube 21 and this wick tube passes upwardly through a hole in the cover 12 to one side of the belts 33 and 34 as will be seen upon referring to Fig. 5. The wick tube 21 is supported in the same manner as the wick tubes 16 and is adjusted by a screw 22. A pad 23 of absorbent material (the purpose of which will be mentioned presently) is hingedly connected to the cover 12 at one side of the wick 20 and normally rests on the top of said wick.

A. vertically movable rectangular frame, which is indicated generally by 24 and comprises a pair ofside plates 25 whichare connected at their lower ends by a plate 26 and have their upper, central portions connected by a block 27, surrounds the pan 9 and has a pair of rearwardly extending brackets 28. The frame 24 is supported by a pair of screws 29 which are threaded into bosses in the block 27 and which pass freely through a plate 30 which is carried between the upg per ends of the members 2 of the side frames of the machine. Spaced at about the same distance each side of the longitudinal center of the frame 24 and carried thereby, are rollers 31 and 32, and an endless belt 33 of absorbent material passes over these rollers and extends over the roller 5 which is located at the top of the machine as hereinbeforedescribed. A similar belt 34 which extends about the roller 6 (located adjacent to the roller 5) passes downwardly alongside the aforesaid belt to the vicinity of the roller 31 and here it is directed in an opposite direction to that of the former belt, over the idle roller 35 and thence over a similar roller 36 from where it continues to travel beneath the horizontal portion of the belt 33 and in contact therewith. Located beneath the roller 32 is a roller 37, over which t e belt 34 is directed downwardly to the roller 38. From here the belt passes to the roller 39, the idler 40 carried by the brackets 23 of the frame 24 and back to the roller 3. It will be observed that all of the rollers which have been mentioned in connection with the belts 33 and 34, with the exception of rollers 5 and 6, are carried by the movable frame 24.

As will be seen from Figs. 3 and 4, the

wicks 19 and the belts 33 and 34 are in substantial alinement, and the belt 34, bearing upon the tops of the wicks 19 is supplied with moisture from the water pan 9 through the capillary attraction of both the belt and wicks; and to assure proper pressure of the belt upon the wicks I provide rollers 41 which are carried by the frame 24 and which rest upon the belts directly above said wicks. The belt 33 is supplied with moisture from the wick 20 through the pad 23.

The pressure of the belts upon the wicks 19 may be varied by the adjustment of the screws 29, and the wicks may be moved vertically by the screws 1.7 for the purpose of aking up any wear which might occur in the wicks.

Situated between the vertical members 1 of the side frames and near the upper ends thereof, is the auxiliary spinning mechanism. This is shown in detail in Figs; 7 and S and comprises a casing 42 which is substantially square in cross section and in the sides of which are journaled the gudgeons of two pairs of guide rollers 43, one pair being located near the top and the other near the bottom of the casing. Located between these two pairs of rollers are rollers 44 and 45, the shaft 46 of the former being journaled in the side frames of the casing and the shaft 47 of the latter being carried in the upper ends of a U-shaped frame 48 which is forced by the springs 49 toward corresponding end of the casing 42. The rollers 44 and 45 are geared together through gears 51 and 52 carried by the ends of their respective shafts, and the end of the shaft 46 of the roller 44 opposite the gear 51 is threaded and splined. A friction roller 53 which is keyed upon this end of the shaft is adapted to be locked in any longitudinally adjusted position thereon by the nuts 54; The friction roller 53 bears upon a circular stationary track 55 and consequently rotates when the casing 42 is revolved on its vertical axis. The casing 42 is provided with an upwardly and a downwardly extendinghollow trunnion 56 and 57 respectively, the former being journaled in a bearing plate 58, and the latter in a bearing plate 59. The bearing plate 58 is supported between the members 1 of the side frames and is secured thereto in any suitable manner, and the lower bearing plate 59 is hung from the former bearing plate by tie rods 60. The track 55 is also retained in position by the rods 60 and is supported between the ends of spacers 61 which are interposed between the ears 62 of the track and the bearing plates 58 and 59. A pulley 63 is secured to the upper trunnion 56 of the casing 42 above the plate 58.

Located beneath the auxiliary spinning mechanism just described, and between the lower ends of the vertical portions 1 of the side frames, is the main or principal spinning mechanism, common to machines of this character, and consisting, generally, of a vertical spindle 64, having a pulley 65 which is rotated by a belt 66, driven from a pulley 67 upon the shaft 68 which is journaled in the side frames of the machine near the lower ends of the portions 2. The upper end of the spindle 64 is provided with a flier 69 which spins the twine and winds it upon the spool 70.

Extending rearwardly from the upper end of one of the side frames of the machine is a bracket 71 which carries at its upper, outer end a stud 7 This stud supports the supply roll of paper strip whereof the twine is made, between a pair of side plates 78 and 74. Each of these plates has a hub 75 and 76, respectively, and the former is provided with a key-way for the reception of the key 77, carried by the inner end of the stud 72, and the latter is provided with a key which is adapted to occupy a key-way 78 near the outer end of the stud. The core of the supply roll occupies the smooth portion of the stud between the hubs of the plates, and beyond that portion of the stud occupied by the hub of the plate 74, the stud is reduced and threaded for the application of a nut 79. In order to eliminate, as nearly as possible, all drag or friction upon the supply roll, I provide conical anti-friction rollers which bear against the sides of the roll and which occupy radiating, substantially conical recesses in the plates 73 and 74. The rollers are indicated at 80 and their ends are provided with pins which are journaled in holes in the ends of the aforesaid recesses.

For feeding the paper from the supply roll, I employ a comparatively heavy roller 81 which is rubber or leather faced as shown at 82 and which is carried on the shaft 83 journaled in the ends of the arms 84 which are pivoted upon the shaft of the roller 6 between the ends of the roller and the adjacent portions of the side frames. These arms are properly spaced from each other and secured together through a tie rod 84 which is located intermediate its ends; and the roller 81 (which is preferably the same size as the roller 6) is driven by a chain 85 which passes over a. sprocket wheel 86 secured to the shaft 105 of the roller 6 and over the sprocket wheel 87 which is carried by the shaft 83 of the roller 81.

The machine is driven by a belt 88 which passes over a pulley 89 loosely mounted upon the shaft 68 previously mentioned and located near the bottom of the machine and supported by the members 2 of the side frames. A clutch member 90 which is slidably mounted upon and keyed to the shaft 68 adjacent the pulley 89 is adapted to cooperate with a clutch member which is formed with said pulley, and to lock the pulley to the shaft when moved into engagement with the same. The clutch 90 is actuated by a bell crank 91, one arm of which is forked and is connected to said clutch in the usual manner and the other and shorter arm of which is connected by a link 92 to the rear end of a lever 98 which is fast on a rock shaft 94. This shaft is located below the plate 26 of the frame 24 and is journaled in the side frames of the machine. Directly above the shaft 94, theplate 26 is provided with a pair of cars 95 between which is pivoted one end of a link 96 the other end of which is pivotally connected to an arm 97 that is fast upon the rock shaft 94. The arm 97 is preferably composed of two parallel members which are at about the center of the shaft 94, and the lever 93 is located just inside the side frame of the machine so that its forward end will not interfere with the paper strip as it passes from the auxiliary to the main spinning mechanism. To limit the movement of the arm 97 on one side of its central position, I employ a stop rod 98 which is carried by the side frames of the machine.

Secured to the end of the shaft 68, where it extends beyond one of the side frames, is a beveled pinion 99 which drives the vertical shaft 100 through a beveled pinion 101. The

of the machine by brackets 102 and its upper end carries a bevel pinion 103 which meshes with a similar pinion 104 on the end of the shaft 105 of the rollerr6. lhe shaft 106 of the roller 5 is driven from the former shaft through gears 10?.

The auxiliary spinning mechanism is also driven from the shaft 100 by a belt 108 which passes over the pulley 63 of said mechanism hence through an opening in the frame memher 1, is passed over suitable guide pulleys 109 which are journaled between brackets 110 and then over a pulley 111 which is secured to the shaft 100.

"With the clutch in engagement as shown inthedrawings and the frame 2a lowered to bring the belt in contact with the wicks 19, the operation of the machine is as follows: The paper strip is fed from the supply roll by the roller 81 to where it passes between the rollers 5 and 6 and, confined between the beltsS?) and 3a, is carried downwardly to where the belts divide at the rollers 31 and 35, is again confined be tween the belts beneath the roller 31 and carried forwar ly by the belts and is fed out between the rollers 32 and 3'? where the belts again separate. After passing over idler 112 which is supported by and between the upp r ends of the members 1 of the side frames, the paper strip passes downwardly into and through the auxiliary spinning mechanism. The strip is fed through this mechanism at the same speed at which it is fed from the supply roll and through the moistening device, and because of the rotation of the casing 42, the strip is given an initial twist which strengthens it somewhat for the tension under which it is necessarily placed between the auxiliary and the main spinning mechanisms. The fact that the lower roller 45 of the spinning mechanism is yieldingly supported, permits the irregularities which occur because of the twisting of the strip; andthe feeding speed of the roller 14 and 4-5 may be varied by the longitudinal adjustment of the friction roller 53 upon the shaft 16. hen it is desired to stop the machine, the operator lifts the lever 93, thereby disengaging the clutch through the link 92. At the same time the shaft 9% is rocked to swing the arm 97 back against the stop rod 98. The location of the stop rod 98 will not permit the arm 97 to swing as far to the rear of its vertical position as it normally rests in the forward direction, and the frame 2% is thereby retained in a somewhat elevated position through the link 96, with the belt 34 out of contact with the ends of the wicks 19.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that l have provided a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip wherein the strip is fed evenly and at av constant speed throughout its entire course a and is relieved of all strain and tension prior to the twisting or spinning operation which results in the production of a cord or twine of uniform size and strength throughout. By my machine, a proper moistenmg of the paper is also assured; and when the operation of the machine is suspended for any reason, the paper strip is removed from the supply of moisture, thereby avoiding undue dampening of the paper when it is not being fed through the machine; and 1 wish to be understood as not limiting my invention to the particular embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereinbefore, but only as required by the scope of the following claims, and the state of the prior art. V

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a moisture absorber, a. pair of engaging conveyer-strips of absorbent material which travel across and in contact with said absorber, and a device for separating the conveyer-strips from the absorber. V

2. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a moisture absorber, a conveyer strip of absorbent material which normally travels across and in contact with said absorber, and a device for separating the conveyor strip from the absorber.

3. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a wick, a conveyer strip of absorbent material which normally travels across and in contact with said wick, means for supplying moisture tothe wick, and device for separating the conveyor strip from the wick.

i. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a wick, a pair of engaging conveyer-strips of absorbent material which travel'across and in contact with said wick, a device for separating the conveyor-strips from the wick, and means for supplying moisture to the wick.

5. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a pair of engaging conveyer-strips of absorbent material, a wick for supplying moisture to each of the conveyor-strips, means for supplying moisture to said wicks, and a device for moving the strips beyond the moistening effect of said wicks.

6. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a liquid receptacle, of a wick or wicks in said receptacle, a conveyer strip of absorbent material for the strip of paper which moves across and in contact with said wick or wicks, and means form oving the conveyer strip out of contact with the wick or wicks. r

7.111 a machine forthe manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination,

in said receptacle, a conveyor strip of absorbent material for the strip of paper which is adapted to travel across and in contact with the wick or wicks, mechanism for driving said conveyer strip, means for moving the conveyer strip out of contact with the wick or wicks, and a device for operating said means and rendering inoperative the driving mechanism.

8. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a liquid receptacle, of a wick or wicks in said receptacle, a f 'ame movable with respect to said receptacle and having rollers, a conveyer strip guided by said rollers and normally in contact with said wick or wicks, and means for shifting the frame to IHOTQ the strip away from the wick or wicks.

9. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a liquid receptacle, of a wick or wicks in said receptacle, a frame movable with respect to said receptacle and having rollers, a conveyer strip guided over said rollers and normally in contact with said wick or wicks, mechanism for driving the conveyer strip, and a device for shifting the frame to move the strip away from the wick or wicks and for rendering inoperative the driving mechanism.

10. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintained, of one or more adjustably supported wicks which project into said receptacle, a conveyer strip of absorbent material for the strip of paper, adjustable means for guiding the conveyer strip across and in contact with the Wick or wicks, and a device for moving the conveyer strip out of contact with said wick or wicks.

11. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintained, of one or more adjustably supported wicks which project into said receptacle, a conveyer strip of absorbent material for the strip of paper, adjustable means for guiding the conveyer strip across and in contact with the wick or wicks, mechanism for driving the conveyer strip, and a device for moving the conveyer strip out of contact with the wick or wicks and rendering inoperative the driving mechanism.

12. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintained and having a cover, of a plurality of wicks adjustably supported from the cover and projecting into said receptacle, a pair of engaging convever strips of absorbent material for the strip of paper, adjustable means for guiding the conveyer strip past said wicks with one of the conveyer strips in contact with one or more of the wicks, and a. pad of absorbent material in contact with another or others of said wicks and bearing against the other conveyer strip.

13. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintai ed and having a cover, of a plurality of wicks adjustably supported from the cover and projecting into said receptacle, a pair of engaging conveyer strips of absorbent material for the strip of paper, adjustable means for guiding the conveyor strip past said wicks with one of the conveyer strips in contact with one or more of the wicks, a pad of absorbent material in contact with another or others of said wicks and bearing against the other conveyer strip, mechanism for driving the conveyer strips, and a device for rendering inoperative said mechanism and for moving the conveyer strip out of contact with the wick or wicks.

14. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip, the combination, with a. receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liquid is maintained and having a cover which is provided with a plurality of holes, of wicks adjustably supported from the cover one of which projects through each hole and depends into the re ceptaclc, a frame movable with respect to said receptacle and having rollers, a pair of engaging, vertically disposed convever strips of absorbent ma erial for the strip of paper which are guided by said rollers, the lower belt bein adapted to contact with one or more of the wicks, a pad of absorbent material h ngedly connected to the aforesaid cover adjacent one or more of the other wicks and adapted to bear thereon and upon the upper convever strip, mechanism for driving the convever stri s. and a device for elevating the aforesaid frame to remove the lower belt from engagement with the wick or wicks.

15. In a machine for the manufacture of twine from a paper strip. the combination, with a receptacle wherein a predetermined level of liouid is maintained and having a cover which is provided with a plurality of holes. wicks adiustablv supported bV the cover, one of wh ch is adapted to project through each of the holes and depend into the receptacle. a movable frame adjustably supported with respect to the receptacle and having rollers, a pair of belts of absorbent material which are guided by the rollers in a manner that will cause the belts to travel throughout a portion of their course in engagement and with one above the other, the lower belt being normally in contact with one or more of the aforesaid wicks, a pad strip for the strip of paper Which travels past and in contact With the moisture absorber, and means for removing the conveyer strip beyond the moistening influence of the moisture absorber.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

THEODORE SCHERF. V Witnesses:

BRENNAN B. WEST, HUGH B. MOGILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

